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'No. 6|8,0l9 Patented Ian. I7, I899.

G. H. TIETJEN.

METAL SIGN.

(Anplication filed Apr. 29, 1898.)

(No Model.)

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NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE II. TIETJEN, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO LIONEL II. MOISE, OF SAME PLACE.

METAL SIGN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 618,019, dated January 17, 1899. Application filed April 29, 1898- Serial No. 679,277. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE II. TIETJEN, a

citizen of the United States of America, re-

siding in the city and county of San Francisco and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in llletal Signs, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements made in the construction of metal signs for business and advertising purposes; and the same have for their object the production of a sign in which durability and decorative and artistic qualities are combined to a high degree.

The invention consists in certain details of construction, as hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 illustrates an end portion of a metal sign embodying the features of the present improvements. Fig. 2 is a cross-section at the line 61;, Fig. 1, with the letter detached from the plate.

In producing a sign according to my invention the surface of a metal panel or plate A is first prepared by marking out a background ta for each letter of the same general outline as the letter, but of somewhat larger dimensions, so that the portion of the surface that is included within the outline forms a field or background or a shading to the letter. The portion of the surface of the plate surrounding these outlined portions and lying between them is then worked down sufficiently to leave the before-mentioned circumscribed portion somewhat in relief, and that surface of the plate around the outlines is ornamented by etching or by engraving or working it with tools, while the portion of the surface included within the outline, which is left as much larger than the letter as the size of the letter and the character of the design on the background between the letters may call for, is given a higher finish than the engraved or etched surface surrounding the same, and generally this relief-background for each letter is highly polished, so as to produce a considerable degree of contrast between the same and the other portions of the panel. The letters b, which are planted on these relief portions a are formed each with a flat back and of greater or less thickness, as the style or design of the particular sign being made may seem to require; but usually the letters are made of considerable thickness, so as to stand out from the relief surface of the panel in high relief. The letter is planted directly against the surface a and is secured in place by means of screw-studs b on the back of the letter, set through holes made in the panel to receive them,and nuts b ,-screwed on the threaded ends of the studs from the back of the panel. By these fastenings the letter is drawn closely to a seat against the surface ta and securely fixed in place.

By using metals of contrasting colors, such as white metal or coated metal for the panel and copper for the letters, for example, and giving the relief portions of the background a polished surface, I secure a highly artistic effect with a comparatively small amount of labor. This method of construction also combines simplicity,strength, and durability with great legibility.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim therein as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

A metal sign comprising a metal panel having on the face thereof the outlines of letters in low relief with highly-polished faces; a

roughened surface surrounding and separating said outlines of letters one from another, and forming a contrasting backing thereto; and superposed letters in high relief separately formed and of smaller dimensions than said outlines of letters and fixed against the faces of said outlines of letters so as to leave exposed portions of thehighly-polished faces within the outlines to form the borders of the letters, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand and seal.

GEORGE H. TIETJEN. [n s.]

Witnesses:

EDWIN A. PYLE, SIGFRIED PELS. 

